Gordita: Built Like This by Daisy “Draizys” Ruiz
Black Josei Press, January 2023

Gordita: Built Like This is an autobiographical comic by Daisy “Draizys” Ruiz. The 28-page color comic follows Gordita, a young Mexican-American teenager who lives in The Bronx. She’s judged for having no ass by classmates, strangers, and even family. Gordita struggles with low self-esteem and body dysmorphia. But, through her friendships with other girls who are also getting bullied and mentorship with her guidance counselor, Gordita, begins to speak up for herself and see that she is more than just her body. Ruiz started this comic as a 6-page black and white comic called “Built Like Spongebob,” which was created for and displayed at NYU’s exhibition, ¡Oye! Cuéntame un Cuento. Daisy’s first solo exhibit in Casita Maria in The Bronx featured pages from Gordita as well.

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